10 fun facts about marriage proposals

In honor of National Proposal Day on March 20th – yes that’s a real thing – here are some fun facts about proposals, engagements, weddings and more. From the history of the engagement ring to the way your partner asks the question, turns out there are some interesting tidbits to reveal about this romantic tradition.

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Most brides aren’t surprised! According to a survey conducted by David’s Bridal, 57 percent said they knew it was coming, while 43 percent were left surprised by their proposal.
<br><br><i>(Source: David's Bridal)</i> less

Most brides aren’t surprised! According to a survey conducted by David’s Bridal, 57 percent said they knew it was coming, while 43 percent were left surprised by their proposal.
<br><br><i>(Source: ... more

Photo: Shawn Gearhart / Getty Images

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Many women would change something about their proposal if they could including location (22 percent), proposal speech (20 percent) and even their engagement ring, with 14 percent wanting to change something about their shiny new accessory.
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<i>(Source: David's Bridal)</i> less

Many women would change something about their proposal if they could including location (22 percent), proposal speech (20 percent) and even their engagement ring, with 14 percent wanting to change something ... more

Photo: mediaphotos / Getty Images

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Tiffany & Co. introduced the now-ubiquitous prong setting in 1886. Prior to this, diamond rings were set in bezels. This setting is now known as the Tiffany setting, with the stone set higher to better reflect light. <br><br><i>(Source: <a href="http://press.tiffany.com/ViewBackgrounder.aspx?backgrounderId=33">Tiffany & Co.</a>)</i> less

Tiffany & Co. introduced the now-ubiquitous prong setting in 1886. Prior to this, diamond rings were set in bezels. This setting is now known as the Tiffany setting, with the stone set higher to better reflect ... more

Photo: Jamie Grill / Getty Images

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Being more connected online means being more competitive for virtual real estate, something some ladies are taking quite seriously. According to a David’s Bridal survey, one in five women reserved Internet usernames with their new married name before they were actually engaged. Another 25 percent seriously considered it.<br><br><i>(Source: David's Bridal)</i> less

Being more connected online means being more competitive for virtual real estate, something some ladies are taking quite seriously. According to a David’s Bridal survey, one in five women reserved Internet ... more

Photo: baileyguinness / Getty Images/Flickr RF

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Most couples wait at least 6 months to get married after getting engaged with the large majority, 40 percent, waiting between 13-18 months to get hitched.<br><br>
<i>(Source: <a href="http://blog.weddingpaperdivas.com/the-road-to-wedding-bliss-infographic/">Wedding Paper Divas</a>)</i> less

Most couples wait at least 6 months to get married after getting engaged with the large majority, 40 percent, waiting between 13-18 months to get hitched.<br><br>
<i>(Source: <a ... more

Photo: Michael Fernahl / Getty Images

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Who does a bride call right after getting engaged? According to <i>Brides</i>, the first person 27 percent of brides call after the proposal is their best friend.<br><br><i>(Source: <a href="http://www.brides.com/wedding-engagement/engagement-rings/2012/11/brides-cool-facts-about-getting-engaged#slide=4">Brides</a>)</i> less

Who does a bride call right after getting engaged? According to <i>Brides</i>, the first person 27 percent of brides call after the proposal is their best friend.<br><br><i>(Source: <a ... more

Photo: Marcus Mok/Asia Images / Getty Images

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A now-obsolete law called the “Breach of Promise to Marry” used to allow women to sue men for breaking off an engagement. Since virginity was a prized quality back in the early 1900s, women who had been broken up with after being engaged were viewed as “damaged.” Luckily by the 1930s, social standards started to loosen up and engagement rings started to take on a whole different meaning: insurance. Since women could no longer sue for being left at the altar, the diamond ring became a form of insurance. <br><br><i>(Source: <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/04/the-strange-and-formerly-sexist-economics-of-engagement-rings/255434/">The Atlantic</a>)</i> less

A now-obsolete law called the “Breach of Promise to Marry” used to allow women to sue men for breaking off an engagement. Since virginity was a prized quality back in the early 1900s, women who had been ... more

Photo: Image Source / Getty Images/Image Source

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Wedding planning is no easy task, 10 percent of couples report spending 16-25 hours a week planning their wedding. While 19 percent split the planning evenly, the majority of the planning is very one-sided. Same-sex couples on the other hand, are much more likely to divide wedding planning responsibilities, more than half (55 percent) split the planning evenly. <br><br><i>(Sources: <a href="http://blog.weddingpaperdivas.com/the-road-to-wedding-bliss-infographic/">Wedding Paper Divas, </a> & <a href="http://www.xogroupinc.com/press-releases-home/2013-press-releases/2013-06-28-tk-same-sex-wedding-survey-gay-nuptials.aspx">TheKnot.com</a>)</i> less

Wedding planning is no easy task, 10 percent of couples report spending 16-25 hours a week planning their wedding. While 19 percent split the planning evenly, the majority of the planning is very one-sided. ... more

Photo: Peter Dazeley / Getty Images

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Proposing in public is a risky move, but apparently Boston is the place to do it. According to <i>Brides</i>, 62 proposals were made on the Jumbotron at Fenway Park in Boston in 2011. <br><br><i>(Source: <a href="http://www.brides.com/wedding-engagement/engagement-rings/2012/11/brides-cool-facts-about-getting-engaged#slide=13/">Brides</a>)</i> less

Proposing in public is a risky move, but apparently Boston is the place to do it. According to <i>Brides</i>, 62 proposals were made on the Jumbotron at Fenway Park in Boston in 2011. <br><br><i>(Source: <a ... more

Photo: David Madison / Getty Images

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Not only is it the time for holiday parties and indulgent meals, according to the Knot.com, December is also the most popular month to get engaged. <br><br><i>(Source: <a href="http://www.xogroupinc.com/press-releases-home/2013-press-releases/2013-03-07-tkwc-wedding-study-survey.aspx">TheKnot.com</a>)</i> less

Not only is it the time for holiday parties and indulgent meals, according to the Knot.com, December is also the most popular month to get engaged. <br><br><i>(Source: <a ... more